Contemplate the quiet authority of the Tim Sam Village Office. It stands as a silent witness to centuries of change. The Tim Sam Village Office serves the community of Tin Sam Tsuen. Tin Sam Tsuen is a village in Tai Wai, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong. Part of Tin Sam Village includes Tin Sam Wai a historic walled village.
Tin Sam’s story stretches back to the late Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644. Imagine this area long ago. The Choi, Wai, Leung, Tsang, and Liu families established a Punti walled village. These families sought protection behind a moat. The moat has since been filled and transformed into a fish pond.
Tin Sam is a recognized village under the New Territories Small House Policy. The Tim Sam Village Office plays a crucial role in this policy. It is a central point for village affairs. Tin Sam is part of the Tin Sum constituency for electoral purposes.
Consider the Che Kung Temple in Tai Wai. Tin Sam Village once managed this temple. In the late 19th century, a lawsuit changed everything. The Kau Yeuk, or Alliance of Nine villages, claimed they significantly renovated the temple. The yamen court agreed. Management shifted to the nine villages. Tin Sam Village retained some worship privileges. Since 1936, the Chinese Temples Committee has administered the temple.
Look closer at the historic buildings near the Tim Sam Village Office. The Choi Ancestral Hall, or Chung Kwong Family Hall, dates back to the 1920s. Imagine the Leung Ancestral Halls, now largely rebuilt and occupied by tenants. Consider the Liu Ancestral Hall and the Entrance Gate, built during the Qing Dynasty. Two rectangular holes above the Entrance Gate’s front doorways had feng shui benefits. They also provided security.
Every ten years, Tin Sam Village celebrates the Da Jiu Festival. The Tim Sam Village Office likely plays a role in organizing this event. Villagers last celebrated in December 2006 and 2016.
The Tim Sam Village Office embodies the spirit of Tin Sam Tsuen. It connects the village’s past, present, and future. It stands as a testament to the enduring traditions of this historic village. As you leave, remember the stories held within these walls.